Khamenei’s Killing Sparks Anger and Grief in South Asia’s Shiite Muslims
The New York Times • • world
Key Points:
- Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader and a revered figure among Shiite Muslims, was killed during U.S.-Israeli strikes, sparking widespread anger and grief in Pakistan and India, home to millions of Shiites.
- Thousands protested in both countries, with many chanting anti-U.S. and anti-Israel slogans; in Pakistan, some demonstrations turned violent, resulting in at least 25 deaths.
- Khamenei was seen as a unifying leader for Shiites globally, symbolizing resistance against the U.S. and Israel, and held a status comparable to the Pope for Christians according to Shiite community leaders.
- The influence of Khamenei and Iran extends deeply into Shiite populations in India
